Dialog Flux Read Disk
The Read Disk dialog reads data from a physical floppy disk using a configured flux device and prepares the result for import or saving.
The dialog supports both traditional image-based workflows and raw flux capture, with behavior that adapts based on the selected output type.
- Menu: Flux → Read Disk
This dialog is available only when flux support is configured.
Read Disk operates in two distinct modes depending on the selected Output Type:
-
Image Output Modes
(Basic Sector Image, HxC HFE Image)
The disk is read into an image that can be previewed and imported into the DiskImageTool workspace. -
Flux Output Mode
(Flux Image Set)
Raw flux data is read from the disk and saved as a flux image set, which may optionally be converted to another supported image format.
Most controls are shared between modes, but naming, buttons, and workflows differ where appropriate.
| Output Type | Result | Importable | Convertible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Sector Image | Sector-based image | Yes | No |
| HxC HFE Image | HFE image | Yes | No |
| Flux Image Set | Raw flux image set | No | Yes |
This field determines how the read data is named when saved or imported.
When using Basic Sector Image or HxC HFE Image, this field specifies the filename used when importing the image.
A name must be entered before importing.
A numeric template can be created by enclosing a number in angle brackets
(for example, Disk<1>).
When a template is used:
- The filename is retained between reads
- The numeric value is incremented automatically after each successful import
Without a template, the filename is cleared after each read and import.
When the output type is Flux Image Set, this field becomes the folder name used to store the raw flux data.
In this mode:
- A name must be provided before reading the disk
- The name specifies the parent folder for the flux image set
An extension selector appears next to the name field.
-
For Basic Sector Images, available extensions depend on the selected format
The selected extension is remembered between sessions. -
For HxC HFE Image, the extension is fixed to
.hfe -
For Flux Image Set, the extension is fixed to
.raw
The Root Folder field specifies where flux image sets are stored.
- Enabled only for Flux Image Set
- Read-only; selected via the Browse button
- Clicking an empty field also opens the folder selection dialog
- The selected folder is remembered between sessions
Selects the physical drive to read from.
Available drives are determined by the Greaseweazle configuration.
Drive selection is remembered between sessions.
Selects how disk data is captured:
- Basic Sector Image
- HxC HFE Image
- Flux Image Set
Changing the output type updates available options throughout the dialog.
Specifies the expected disk format.
The list includes common 5.25" and 3.5" formats as well as special layouts such as ProCopy, DMF, XDF, and 2HD.
Some formats restrict the available output types:
- Certain advanced formats are limited to HxC HFE Image and Flux Image Set
- Selecting Custom Format forces the output type to Flux Image Set (the output type selector is disabled)
When a format restricts output types, the output type selector is updated accordingly.
The Detect button reads the first track of the disk and attempts to identify the format using information from the BIOS Parameter Block.
These options correspond to Greaseweazle read parameters:
-
Revs
Number of revolutions read per track -
Retries
Number of retries when read errors occur -
Seek Retries
Number of retries when seek errors occur
The track grid displays a numeric map of all tracks for each disk side.
- A separate grid is shown for Side 0 and Side 1
- The grid uses a base-10 layout:
- Rows represent the tens digit of the track number
- Columns represent the ones digit
- Each cell corresponds to a single physical track
The grid provides visual feedback during reads and supports selective re-reading.
During a read operation, the track grid uses color coding to indicate activity and results for each track:
- Light Blue — Track is currently being read
- Yellow — Track is being retried
- Light Green — Track was read successfully
- Red — Track read failed
- Yellow (Unexpected Sectors) — Track contains unexpected sectors
- Gray — Track is out of range for the selected format
In addition to color coding, grid cells may display indicators reflecting the current state or outcome:
- R — Track is currently being read
- Retry count — Number of retries that have occurred
- Bad sector count — Number of bad sectors detected on the track
Hovering over a track cell displays additional information.
The tooltip will always display the track identifier:
- Track nn.n
Additional details appear when applicable:
- Retries: nn — Displayed if retries occurred
- Sectors: nn bad — Displayed if bad sectors were detected
-
Bad Sector Ids — Lists affected sector IDs grouped into ranges
(for example:1–2, 4–5, 9) -
Unexpected Sectors — Listed individually in the format:
C:n H:n R:n N:n (nnnn)
Where:- C — Cylinder
- H — Head
- R — Sector ID
- N — Size ID
After a disk has been read once, Select Tracks becomes available.
When enabled, individual tracks can be selected and re-read without processing the entire disk again.
Reads the first track and displays a preview of the disk contents.
-
Before a full read, preview shows:
- Summary panel
- Root directory only
-
After a full read, preview shows:
- Summary panel
- Checksums panel
- Complete file listing
Reads the disk using the selected options.
Progress and command output are displayed in the console output area.
Discards the currently read data and resets the dialog state.
When using Basic Sector Image or HxC HFE Image:
-
Import
Imports the currently read image and leaves the dialog open -
Import and Close
Imports the image and closes the dialog -
Close
Closes the dialog without importing
When using Flux Image Set:
-
Save
Saves the current flux image set -
Save and Close
Saves the flux image set and closes the dialog -
Convert
Opens the Convert Flux Image dialog to convert the flux set to another supported image format -
Save Log Checkbox
When checked, the console output is automatically saved alongside the flux image set when it is saved.The checkbox state is remembered between sessions.
Displays real-time output from the read operation.
This output is read-only and reflects the underlying command execution.
-
Device Reset
Runs the Greaseweazleresetcommand to reset the device -
Save Log Button
Saves the contents of the console output window to a log file.
The status bar displays live status information during disk reads:
-
Track nn Side n
Indicates the track and side currently being read -
Action
Displays the current operation (Reading, Retrying, Failed, Complete, Aborted, Error) -
Total Bad Sectors
Displays the total number of bad sectors detected during the read operation. This item appears only when one or more bad sectors are found. -
Total Unexpected Sectors
Displays the total number of unexpected sectors detected during the read operation. This item appears only when one or more unexpected sectors are found.
- Flux Image Sets are not loaded directly into the workspace
- Conversion is optional and always initiated explicitly
- Behavior depends on the selected output type, format, and hardware configuration